Receiving a ticket isn’t a joyous occasion for any citizen of New York City. Unlike other tickets, Desk Appearance Tickets or a DAT cannot be handled through the mail. A DAT is a criminal court summons. For many people who receive DAT’s, it’s their first time interacting with the criminal justice system and the process can be scary and confusing. This booklet was designed to help citizens understand what they can do.
CUP collaborated with The Bronx Defenders and Youth Represent, two organizations with expertise in the criminal justice field, and designers WeShouldDesignItAll to create an easy to read booklet that advises individuals who receive a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT) on how to prepare for their appearance in Criminal Court and the potential outcomes of their case.
What Up With DAT?
